Radiotechnique 12AU7 / 6189
Made in France, 1965 vintage. This is the French arm of Philips Holland who also owned Amperex and Mullard. So it makes sense these have a plate structure similar to Amperex Bugle Boys. But better IMHO because so many Bugle Boy 12AU7’s I see being offered are leftovers. These were released by the French Army where they sat since 1965.
The are in military box, and are sealed in a small vinyl bag, until we cut the bag open and test them for Gm/noise/microphony one at a time, and give you the measurements. God sent for VAC, CAT’s, and other products as customers report.
Radiotechnique was the French arm of Philips Holland, and this tube shares many sonic characteristics with its Dutch cousins, most notably its holographic soundstaging and open, airy top end. May be one of the more dynamic 12AU7’s. For more info on the Philips factories, click here.
